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Walks in the UK with Charlie Dugs

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4.51 miles – Circular – Steep rocky paths – Possibility of mud

This was the hardest walk we did while in the lakes this time. Quite a steep climb initially, then a more gentle downhill. Great change to look in Rydall Cave and the views are beautiful. Charlie was off lead for pretty much the whole walk.

We took a little detour as we left the top of the hill to a small tarn so Charlie can have a swim, so there’s a small bit of the map that takes you off the path, but it can be ignored. Also, if you use the ViewRanger map, it went a bit loopy when I went in the cave, but it’s still fine.

4.72 Miles – Linear – Half Good Paths

This was a lovely little walk alongside Coniston water. It was one the we’d planned to do with my parents as it had the added bonus of a ferry halfway down so they could get it back up to the car. This allowed us to carry on to the end of the footpath where they picked us up.

So, if you want to do the short version, the paths are actually so good they’re wheelchair friendly. Eventually you get to Torver Jetty (not the first one, the second) where you can flag down the ferry that comes by once an hour and it will take you back to the start. This cost about £6.50 each and turned up about 5 past the hour. We had a pleasant 40 minutes sat on the jetty in the sunshine waiting for the ferry. Click here for the timetable

After this point, the path becomes a proper footpath with rubble and drops and tree roots. Much more fun! Charlie loved running along the waters edge.

Circular – 3.8 Miles – Good Path

This is a nice flat walk round the edge of the reservoir and through the nearby fields. There is a short bit of road towards the end and the possibility of cows in one field. The biggest problem with this walk is a lack of swimming opportunities. There’s potential for blue/green algae in the reservoir but it’s all fenced off so dogs can’t get near.

Circular – 4.06 Miles – Mostly Good Paths

This is a walk we do quite often, the sculptures in the park change a couple of times a year. It’s got a bit of an incline and there’s lots of lead walking in the park itself. There’s also a field of cows at the beginning, so watch out if you have a roller!

We went a little bit wrong on this walk, it was supposed to be more “round” than it is now. However, it was still the same length as we planned and was a nice walk all the same. Off lead all the way round for dugs quite a bit of uphill in the first half.

Circular – 3.89 Miles – Mostly Good Paths

This is an extension to the usual scammonden walk. It involves a small piece of road and we did have to walk past some sheep. The footpath that leads back down to the usual path round the reservoir is a bit narrow in places, but reasonably well used.

There are loads of opportunities for swimming on one side of the reservoir, but the current can be stronger at the top end near the motorway. I’d recommend waiting to swim until you reach the beachy area at the bottom end.

Circular – 4.82 Miles – Good Paths

This is a great little walk, around Ripon and through the grounds of Fountains Abbey. There’s some woodland, some fields with deer (please take notice of the signs to keep dogs on leads) and a little village stream.

CIRCULAR – 4.55 MILES – GOOD PATH

This is a reasonably flat walk through Barnsley. You do have to cross a couple of busy roads, but Charlie was mostly off lead. There’s a big lake at the beginning, we didn’t let him swim though because there were lots of people fishing.

Circular – 4.63 Miles – Mostly good path

This is a pleasant circular walk along Ilkley Moor, it’s mostly on a path but is boggy on either side of the path.

It might be quite wet near the end where the stone path gives way to grassy tracks, but this is only the last mile or so.

Charlie loves jumping in all the bogs. This was the first time we found out that he’d chase sheep given the chance. There is some sheep occasionally, but it depends where they’re grazing that day. Also take notice of the ground nesting bird signs and keep dogs reasonably close.